VIDEO; UN: COOLSKELETON95

[boneafide]

Hello, everyone!

[And to those who have yet to see a talking, walking skeleton, here you go.]

I wanted to first say good job to everyone who helped the villagers to safety! And also thank you to those who helped protect everyone! Everyone really did their best out there, and I think ALASTAIR will be very proud of us! I know I am. Hopefully now there can be attempts for real peace between the humans and the goblins!

[Although he doesn't agree exactly on the way everything went down, there's no point in bringing that up when he's trying to congratulate everyone.]

I do have another thing I wanted to ask, though.

[He rubs subconsciously at his wrist, and continues.]

I haven't heard from Koltira at all. I've tried calling him a few times, but he isn't answering his phone. So if anyone has seen him in the past few days, please let me know! I am worried about him.

Comments

[digophelia]

[ Papyrus surely can't be that naive, could he? Will he actually apologize? Alice still doesn't care he attacked her, as long as that one woman escaped. What angers her most is that innocent people were in harm's way. ]

He expressed a wish to flee the city, Papyrus.

[ He clawed his face, he was clearly torn. Alice isn't sure what to think right now and Papyrus is making her consider it, just a little. ]

I'm sure whenever he wants to be found, he'll be found. But there may be others who may not respond well if he shows again, myself included.

[ She wouldn't really hesitate stabbing him right now if she saw him again, conflicting feelings aside. ]

It might best to leave him be, for now.

[boneafide]

[Sadly, yes, he can be that naive, since most of his life, there's been people looking out for him, and thus leaving him fairly sheltered.

Papyrus does know, however, that people might not react so well if they saw him again. But that's why he needed to find the other before someone more prone to violence did. Even though... even though Koltira said a similar thing to him. Don't follow me. And yet, here he is, trying to do just that.

Alice's reasoning does give him pause, though. Maybe it would be best to leave him be? But... He can't imagine the other is terribly happy right now, and he knows when he's really upset, the last thing he wants to be is alone. Sometimes a break is okay, but most of the time, he'd prefer company.]

... Can I ask something of you?

[digophelia]

[ On her end, she's so used to people turning on her, after "helping". All of this -- even after the death of Michel -- is a bitter reminder of how people have acted in her world. Whenever they depart, Alice concludes to herself the safest thing to do is to hole back up with Gintoki.

At least he's trustworthy. ]

Of course you can, Papyrus.

[ She says gently and carefully, actually dreading what he may ask. ]

[boneafide]

If you see him, can you let me know before you do anything?

[He's not going to tell her to not attack him, or not defend herself. He can't ask that of someone, if Koltira can't control himself. But at the very least, maybe she'll let him know so he can try and defuse things before they get to that point.]

[digophelia]

[ Oh, no.

She wants to tell him that she won't hesitate to attack him, if she's threatened again. Alice glances down to her hands and then back to him. ]

I will try.

[ The way he moved was unpredictable; she couldn't really see a pattern to defend herself from him. And, well, it's hard to defend yourself when you're being strangled. ]

If I'm able to do so. [ Poor Papyrus! Alice hesitates with her next statement- ] He wasn't exactly rational or even in his mind.

[boneafide]

I know. He was in pain. People hurt other people when they're in pain.

[He can understand if Alice might not be able to stop herself. Having restraint wasn't something he knew many monsters to have, let alone humans.]

...But thank you for saying you'd try. I know there's a good person in him. Even if doesn't seem like it right now... I know it's there! I know he can listen to me, he did it once. I just need to try harder!

[While somehow, keeping a distance. Sans made him promise that much.]

[digophelia]

[ " People hurt other people when they're in pain."

He may as well be talking about Alice, herself; that's an awful reminder of the children she left behind. ]

I wouldn't bother if it weren't for you.

[ But still. ]

There is only so much one can do when another is out of their mind. You did what you could and that's what matters. Allow him distance for a small while and then try again. A friend can help, yes, but sometimes, when we are in pain and out of our minds, the best solution can come from within. We just have to find it.

[boneafide]

[ She has a good point, and it's one he never thought of before. Congratulations, Alice! You talked him out of carelessly running into the woods to search for a violent, undead elf. ]

I think you're right. I'll leave him alone a little longer! I hope he gets my messages though.

And Alice...

I believe you'll do the right thing, if the time comes.

[digophelia]

[ She just really can't bring herself to scold him or convince him that everything will be fine. It is true -- she wouldn't reconsider what happened if Papyrus didn't tell her.

Naivete aside, sometimes the world could use something more good-natured like Papyrus. She's forgotten what that felt like. ]

Pain may never go away, it takes time to heal properly. Give it some time; if he's a true friend, I'm sure that it will.

[ She feels for Papyrus the most. ]

Don't worry about what I'll do, care for yourself in the mean time. I'll find you should we cross paths again. I'm not entirely reasonable person, it sounds like he could use you.

[boneafide]

Don't put yourself down like that, I think you're reasonable enough!

Oh! Speaking of caring for myself!!

Do you know anyone who has any healing magic?

[digophelia]

[ A small, sad smile actually make it's way across Alice's face. If he only knew; maybe someday, she'd tell him. Certainly, Alice would feel more comfortable disclosing parts of her past with a skeleton than another person. ]

Mm, I think I may -- the only one I can think of Sieglinde. She would be able to help you. She's young, but she's bright and very talented.

[boneafide]

...Oh.

I see. I think she's still sleeping though.

[digophelia]

I'm sure there are others! I cannot think of anyone else directly. Truth be told, I don't like doctors that very much. If I'm hurt, I try to ignore it.

[ Which is a very stupid idea. ]

[boneafide]

Me too!!!

[ this ISN'T SOMETHING TO BOND OVER PAPYRUS?????? ]

But it's worrying Sans now, so I really ought to have it healed.

[digophelia]

Which is why "healers" are slightly better.

[ OF COURSE IT IS. IT'S AN EXCELLENT THING TO BOND OVER. At least he has no skin or blood veins for leaches. Lucky guy. ]

No, we can find someone, so then that Sans doesn't have to worry, alright?

[boneafide]

I would definitely feel better if someone went with me!

[ hint hint. friend... ]

[digophelia]

Well, of course I'll go with you!

[boneafide]

Oh, good, thank you!!

[digophelia]

You're very welcome, Papyrus.